Couple from Depperhaugh Nursing Home, in Hoxne toast to golden wedding anniversary

A couple whose loved blossomed when they were best man and bridesmaid at their friends’ wedding have now celebrated 50 years of being married themselves.

Peter and Heather Sorrell, who are aged 74 and 75, enjoyed a celebratory lunch at The Depperhaugh Nursing Home, in Hoxne, earlier this month to mark their diamond wedding anniversary.

The pair became friends as teenagers when they both lived in Downham Market, attending the same youth group and Methodist Church.

Retired Methodist Minister Mrs Sorrell, who is a resident at Depperhaugh, said: “We were friends for six years before our relationship blossomed at the wedding of my best friend, Marion, when I was the bridesmaid and Peter was best man.

“A year later we got married ourselves at the Downham Market Methodist Church.”

On Saturday, August 6, Mr Sorrell, who lives in Diss, joined his wife at her care home alongside her cousin, Valerie Spencer, to toast to an impressive half-a-century of marriage.

The couple have two daughters; Jackie, who lives in New Zealand; and Helen, who lives in Gloucestershire with their three grandchildren, Hannah, 17, Daniel, 15, and Adelina, 12.

Mr Sorrell, who worked as a probation officer and social worker until his retirement nine years ago, said: “The Church and our family have both played a big part in our lives.

“The secret to our successful and happy marriage has been compromise and working together to achieve things.”